Citizens in Los Angeles reportedly arrested a suspect in connection to the raging fires in the city and the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) said they have taken him into custody.
The fires currently burning through Los Angeles have been officially declared the worst in the city’s history. The Palisades fire, Eaton fire, Hurst fire and Kenneth fire have engulfed the area, and evacuation orders have been given to thousands of area residents. The unidentified suspect was seen riding a bicycle in Woodland Hills Thursday afternoon, residents said, according to the New York Post
Residents claim they witnessed him setting several Christmas trees and garbage cans alight with what looked like a “flamethrower” or “blowtorch” at the same time that the Kenneth Fire started. LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse confirmed that the suspect was arrested and told KTLA 5 News that police believe the fire was deliberately set.
“We really banded together as a group,” Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the incident, said. “A few gentlemen surrounded him and got him on his knees. They got some zip ties, a rope and we were able to do a citizens’ arrest.”
Fox LA released video footage of a man carrying what appeared to be a blowtorch early Friday morning.
NEW: @FOXLA has exclusively obtained video of a man carrying a blow torch in Woodland Hills, CA Thursday not far from the Kenneth Fire. LAPD says the man is in custody but “can’t confirm any connection to any fire by this suspect”. #CaliforniaWildfires #KennethFire pic.twitter.com/ULwxtnfsdj
— Matthew Seedorff (@MattSeedorff) January 10, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWqNt7damng
“What we know right now is that the incident occurred here, started here, and about 20 mins, 30 mins later, a suspect was detained over in Woodland Hills, by citizens,” Dinse said.
No further information about the suspect’s identity has been released at this time, although the New York Post reported that the suspect in custody was believed to be a homeless man.
If found guilty, the penalties associated with this crime will be steep.
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said the suspected arsonist could face homicide charges which could result in life in prison, according to NewsNation.
“Justice will be swift. It will be firm, and the maximum punishment will be sought,” Hochman stated on “Banfield.”
ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 09: The remains of a destroyed property is seen as the Eaton Fire continues to burn on January 9, 2025 in Altadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. At least five people have been killed, and over 25,000 acres have burned. Over 2,000 structures have also burned and almost 180,000 people are under orders to evacuate. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Kenneth fire is burning out of control near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, threatening entire neighborhoods.
Economic loss from all the LA wildfires that continue to burn could reach $150 billion, NewsNation reported, citing AccuWeather.
In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, the Kenneth fire approaches homes in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles county, California on January 9, 2025. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally uncontained January 9, 2025, authorities said, as US National Guard soldiers readied to hit the streets to help quell disorder. Swaths of the United States’ second-largest city lay in ruins, with smoke blanketing the sky and an acrid smell pervading almost every building. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON / AFP) (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Over 35,000 acres have been ravaged by wildfires throughout the Los Angeles area. At least ten lives have been lost. (RELATED: Ultimate Troll Job Or Genuine Opinion: Random Guy’s Question About LA Fires Leaves Local Reporter Flummoxed)
Firefighters and first responders continue to battle the flames.
Editor’s note: Altered headlines to reflect that authorities suspect he may have been connected to the Kenneth Fire.
